Step 1: Concept

‘Dead Drops’ is an anonymous, offline, peer to peer file-sharing network in public space. USB flash drives are embedded into walls, buildings and curbs accessable to anybody in public space. Everyone is invited to drop or find files on a dead drop. Plug your laptop to a wall, house or pole to share your favorite files and data. Each dead drop is installed empty except a readme.txt file explaining the project.

The term dead drop comes from an old spy term where some information would be passed from one person to another, usually party a would leave something for party b to pick up sometime later. This project takes that same concept and turns it into a peer to peer system where people can share all kinds of random files or ideas.

Clandestine, can think of many fun places to '<em>hide'</em> these.<br> Depending on how liberal you want to be with the spirit of USB dead-drops, this could easily be expanded to vehicles such as trains, buses and other types of mass transit. The added twist of having to locate the right train/bus/ferry, then right seat. Sort of like e-geocaching.<br> <br> Is there a method to ensure the <em>readme </em>and <em>manifesto</em> stay on the drive and aren't removed by some cyber-hooligan, or is it just maintenance by users/you.<br>

If you use Linux, or a similar OS you're pretty much immune to Window$ viruses - and Linux can handle a lot of the same filetypes as Windows. Be safe - use a Linux laptop/netbook.

<p>In reality, Linux user base are much bigger than general public talks.</p>

indeed!

IDEA!!! if you really wanted to only share files between friends or people in the know, and at the same time avoid viruses (maybe) is to use TrueCrypt or some other encryption to make an encrypted file or even hidden encrypted file for the flashdrive and put everything on that.

that kinda defeats the purpose dosent it?

<p>new to all this dont really want to make one myself but more just wondering whether anyone knows of the locations of some in england (south west) would be great if there were some up and running :) think they are a great idea </p>

<p>I am putting some around eastleigh tomorrow not really near you though. Only 2GB too but still usefull.</p>

<p>weather can get to these. shouldnt the usb plug cover be left behind to,protect from corrosion ? and these arent write protected ... a virus is easily up/down loaded. i would get permission for locations. defacing/destroying property makes it more likely it will be removed soon. </p>

<p>also. becareful removing cover (if you do) static charge can wipe it out before you do much with it. and maybe a nonelectric expoxy would seal better than plumbers tape. is plumbers tape electronically safe ?</p>

It's a neat idea but I don't like having the male connector sticking out. I think these should have been implemented as a mini or micro USB female port so that it is completely recessed. It could then be inserted at a 10&ordm; angle to keep out water.<br><br>As for viruses... WHO CARES! The real problem is that you have chosen to use the 1 operating system that is plagued by viruses. People who choose not to use MSFT software don't share your concerns.

How about wireless USB and wireless power?<br><br>The device is concealed inside something and when you arrive, you power it with your wireless power adapter. A logo or some other marking would indicate the device's location.<br><br>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_USB<br>http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/wireless-power.htm

I was thinking the same thing youmadbro. I was thinking solar, but that would be difficult. A wireless power setup would allow for complete sealing of the device. <br> <br>Perhaps a Altoids Mint tin type project. <br> <br>Seal the container, then epoxy it in place. You could stick it almost anywhere and mark the spot with a sticker or other sign. <br> <br>Maybe a small skull and cross bones with the USB image on the forehead?

<p>I was thinking a pirate box that was hooked up to solar power or wireless charging myself</p><p>(1) <a href="http://piratebox.de/start" rel="nofollow">http://piratebox.de/start</a></p><p>(2) <a href="http://laughingsquid.com/piratebox-a-diy-device-that-creates-offline-wireless-networks-featuring-message-boards-and-media-sharing/" rel="nofollow">http://laughingsquid.com/piratebox-a-diy-device-that-creates-offline-wireless-networks-featuring-message-boards-and-media-sharing/</a></p><p>That would be pretty cool</p>

teflon tape is used by plumbers because it reduces friction during the tightening of tapered threaded fittings, known as NPT thread. Friction while tightening pipes can cause problems at the other end of the pipe and cause you to stop tightening before a seal is made with the threads. There is nothing particularly watertight about teflon tape. In fact, electrical tape would be better because it has adhesive to make a real seal. There are tapes out there made for RF engineers who put connectors on cables outdoors, and these tapes contain a gooey adhesive which really oozes out and makes a seal. This could be important because proper cement uses a metal corrosion chemistry to harden. blah blah blah i like the idea of USB dead drops.

<p>personally I would just hot glue the whole thing</p>

Teflon tape and paste is water/airtight, I have built multiple air cannons, and other things with pipe fittings and whenever I forget to put tape on the threads the thing will leak, the Teflon tape is a nice cheap, and thin way to do this, it also kinda streches around the drive more closely.

Years ago when I did electrical work we used a 3M product (can't remember the name, but can ask about), that is used to protect and seal up BUGS that is the giant ubolts that we use to splice big wire in a box or trough, each piece roughly the size of a pepperoni would be stripped bolted then given 1 pad or a piece then wrapped in electrical tape. They take years to dry up,(if ever). They are kinda like black gummy bears that stick to themselves and are stretched out then pulled tight. They have an outer layer of electricians tape and if done perfectly need no outer covering, and are water tight. they are not cheap but you can cut them up and a mem sticks are so small you could do a number of them from 1 piece.

Thanks for pointing this out.<br>Although moisture in a sealed concrete wall is probably not too big of an issue, Teflon tape is probably about as effective as tissue paper, like jerkey said, it is not at all designed to seal water. Specialty RF seal tape is probably the best way to go with this. One brand of tape is Coax-Seal ( Not a plug or testimonial but just to make it easy to search for, had to go Google diving for a bit to get the right set of search terms). It says tape, but a more accurate description would be a strip of road tar mixed with silly putty. After a couple of days, the individual wraps sort of &quot;melt&quot; together creating a more or less perfect seal, the only thing that damages the seal is direct sunlight, so inside a wall, this could realistically outlive the data retention of the flash chips. At about 2 dollars a roll, you'd probably have enough for 4 or 5 drops, and if you are putting drives in walls, extra 0.50$ a piece isn't significant. <br><br>Other thoughts on waterproofing the connection:<br><br>-Is there anything other than a few dollars stopping the Dropper from getting a female-female adapter so the jack is of the female type? It could be mounted flush to the wall reducing the chance of accidental damage or direct weather. As well as male-male USB cables are more common for any given random user to have.<br><br><br>-Force a glob of dielectric grease directly into the female connector (stole this one from a friend who does quite a bit of DIY car maintenance). Everything is totally sealed until a mating connector is pushed into the port. Each of the pins shear the grease out of the way and the contacts....well... contact each other. When the cable is removed, the grease smears out and re-coats any open surface.<br><br>*note*<br>Sorry, but the preview isn't working right for me. Please forgive the half dozen edits this will probably need to get the formatting right.

another note on that Coax-seal (im a ham radio opp and never knew what it was named) if you put a layer of electric tape and then the seal it makes it so you can take it off if you dont you will NEVER get it all off, the way we do it for ant. connections is to layer it like so<br><br>tape -- seal -- tape<br><br>i have found that the seal will run in the sun if you dont put the outer layer of tape<br><br>BTW very interesting idea

<p>great</p>

<p>super</p>

<p>wonderful</p>

<p>Gotta get my mouth on some of them cocksickles.</p>

<p>good</p>

<p>agree.</p>

IDEA!!! if you really wanted to only share files between friends or people in the know, and at the same time avoid viruses (maybe) is to use TrueCrypt or some other encryption to make an encrypted file or even hidden encrypted file for the flashdrive and put everything on that.